Reflector for art galleries



(No'ModeL) 2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

N. WEEKS.

REPLBGTOR FOR ART GALLERIES, SHOW WINDOWS, 62c.

PatentedApr. 20, 1897.

Nasal! mm 84) ATTOR EY t e e h S w m. S h s w 2 D N I W W. O H IVS S B RE ML L m N R A R 0 F R 0 T O E L P n E. M R d o M o W Patented Apr. 20,1897.

INVENTCR. v NELMIN WEEK BY 6% A TORN'EY PETERS sq. mmaumo" wAsmNn'mN a cI UNITED-ST TES ATENT EErcE.

' NELSoN WE KS, OF I-IACKENSA'OK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 'ro' eEoReE FRINKSPENCER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

REFLECTOR FOR ART GALLERIES, SHOW-WINDOWS, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,093, dated April20, 1897.

- Application filed December 18,1896. Serial No. 616,120. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: end to end and in position ready for use.Fig.

Y Be it known that I, NELSON WEEKS, a citizen of the. United States,residing at Hackensack, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reflectors for ArtGalleries, Show-Windows, &c. and I do hereby declare the following to beafull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a partof thisspecification.

This invention relates generally to im provements in reflectors, andmore particularly to that class of reflectors used for store-windowlighting and for'lighting up the pictures in art galleries.

The invention has for its primary object to provide a novel and simpleconstruction of reflector to be used in lighting store-Windows,picturegalleries, and the like, to be placed at or near the top of awindow or picture to reflect the light inward and downward.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reflector, to be usedin connection with electric or other light, which shall be of such aconstruction that the direct light is concealed from the eyes of anobserver, at the same time giving a strong even light when wanted anddoing away with the annoyance of a dazzling light in the eyes of theobserver.

Other objects of the invention, not here specifically set forth, will beevident from the accompanying specification.

W'ith'these several objects in view this invention consists in a novelconstruction of refiector for show-windows, picture galleries, &c.,hereinafter set forth, and also in such novel arrangements andcombination of parts and details of construction to be fully describedin the accompanying specification and finally embodied in the clauses ofthe claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying sheets ofdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of the reflector made up ofsections, said view illustrating two of such sections arranged andsecured 2 is an end View of one of the said reflectorsections, and Fig.3 is a vertical cross-section of the same. Fig. 4 is a back View of oneof the reflector-sections, and Fig. 5 is a cross- V section taken online to a; in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a switch employed inconnection with the reflector when electric lamps are employed inconnection with the same.

, Similar letters of reference are employed in all of theabove-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In said views, A indicates an apron made from sheet-metal and of anydesired length which is provided with an arc-shaped apronportion a andthe an gularly-arran ged straight portions ct,of which five are usuallyemployed, but this number may be departed from, if desired. Saidportions a and a are all formed integral with each other, and at theends of said portions the metal is raised, as at a and a to producerigidity of the sheet-metal apron A and to enable the overlapping of anytwo adjacent sections when more than one section is employed to make upthe reflector, as will be clearly evident.

The arc-shaped portion a of the apron is usually provided at the bottomwith an inwardly-curved part a which extends the entire length of thesection and forms a suitable trough a to produce additional stiffness ofthe apron A and also to conceal and support the electric-light wires inthe manner and for the purposes to be hereinafter more specificallyspecified. The last one of the straight portions a is provided on thefront with a head or rim a and on the back with a stiffening-bar asoldered or otherwise fastened thereto.

As will be seen from Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and more especially from Fig. 5,I have secured against the inner surfaces a of the raised portions a anda at the ends of the apron certain holding-clamps of Sheet metal, asb,which may be soldered fast to the said inner surfaces a and areprovided with any suitable number of. holding or clamping prongs 1),adapted to be bent over the ends of certain silver-plated glass orpolished metal plates 0, which are for the purpose of reflecting the ioolight-rays inward and downward. Said glass plates 0 are preferablycorrugated, as indicated at c' in Fig. 5.

()n the back of the arc-shaped portion a and one of the straightportions a of the apron A is a holder d,whieh is preferaldy made ofcastmetal and is secured to the back of said apron by means of screws (1and bolts d or in anyotherwell-known manner. fiaid holder (Z ischambered on its under side, as at d", and is also provided with acylindrically-shapcd supporting portion d, provided with a crosspiece d,forming a suitable bridge against which can be fastened, by means of thescrews (1, a porcelain cup 6 of any of the usual forms of electricswitches E. Said switch being of the well-known construction and notforming an essential feature of this invention the same need not bedescribed in detail here. Suffice it to say that by partially turningthe cover 0 of the cap a complete electrical circuit can be formedthrough the wiresfif, and j to the lamp i supported on a bracket-bar g.Said bar g is provided with a step r formed at a right angle theretoorapprozdmately so,which has a perforation and is secured by means of ascrew-bolt g in a channeled a or recess a in the arc-shaped portion a ofthe apron A (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3) to prevent the turning of thebracket-bar g and its lamp supported thereon when secured in position.

As will be seen from Figs. 3, l, and 5, said holder (1 is provided withthe two backwardlyextending and downwardlycurved guidepieces (1 havingperforated lugs or cars (1 through which the bolts (f hereinabovementioned, are passed for securing said holder d to the back of one ofsaid parts a. liach guide-piece of provided with an inwardlyextendingflange d, thereby providing an open space d between said guide-pieces dMovably arranged in the space d and adjustably secured on saidguide-pieces d is a screwthreaded socket 71, into which is screwed theend a" of a hollow supporting-rod f, by means of which the reflector issupported at or near the top of the show-window or from the ceiling of aroom. Said socket h is provided with an annular flange 71/ and twoopgositely-extending lugs or supporting-ears 7B, which loosely embraceand can be made to slide on said flanges d ofthe two guide-pieces (7,Each lug or car 715 is provided with a screw-threaded perforation, intowhich are screwed the setscrcws 7L3, by means of which said socket itcan be securely fixed in its adjusted position in said guide-pieces (Zof the holder (1 and whereby the reflector can be arranged at thedesired angle in a store-window or in front of a picture to give thebest results by throwing a perfect and an evenly-distributed light uponthe articles or picture displayed. As will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3,the flanges d and the upper surfaces of said guide-pieces (Z are of anarc of a circle having its radius terminating in the longitudinalcentral axis of the lamp F, whereby when the reflector is adjusted onits supporting-rod t' the position of the lamp or lamps F will remainunchanged. Likewise the portion a of the apron A is also of an arc of acircle having its radius terminating in the longitudinal central axis ofthe lamp, whereby the rays from the light are reflected directly back totheir initial startingpoints in the lamp; but the reflector glass platesZ) are arranged at such angles to each other that the light-rays are allreflected inward and downward and directly upon the goods displayed inthe show-wiinlow, while in an art gallery the picture receives nearlyall the reflected rays at its lower end and the upper and centralportions receive the direct rays, thus blending together and producing abeautiful and most perfect effect.

\Vhen electric lamps are used in connection with the reflector, thelight-wires are introd need through. the tubular bar t'and arranged inthe chambered portions of the holder (1, as illustrated in Fig. P.- At asuitable point in the arc-shaped portion a of the apron A they passthrough an opening in a suitable lead or other like gasket 7:, suitablysecured in an opening in said portion (f, and are then connected to thelamp-socket in the usual manner.

The herein-described reflector is especially designed for use inconnection with electric lights, but it will be evident that the samecan also be used with gas-jets or oil-lamps with slight modificationsbeing made in the reflector construction.

It will be furthermore understood that changes may be made in theseveral arrangements and combinations of the parts and the details ofthe construction thereof without departing from the scope of my presentinvention, and ldo not limit myself to the exact a rrangements andcombinations of the parts herein described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, claiming, broadly, a reflcctor comprising thearc-shaped portion (L and the straight parts a, arranged angularly toeach other, so that the light-rays from a light connected with thereflector will have the rays which strike the part of reflected back totheir initial. source, while the rays to the parts a are reflectedinward and downward, at the same time concealing the direct light fromthe eyes of the observer.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1.Areflcctor-seefion for art galleries, storewindows, See, consisting ofan apron, comprising au. arc-shaped portion a, arranged concentric withthe center of the light connected with the reflector, and straightportions (1., at angles to each other, all arranged to throw a reflectedlight inward and downward, and said portions (titlltl a having raisedparts (i and a at their free ends to enable the overlapping of any twoadjacent reflectonsections, sulmtantially as and for the purposes setforth.

2. A reficctor-section forart galleries, storewindows, &c., consistingof an apron, comprising an arc-shaped portion Ct, arranged concentricwiththe center of the light connected with the reflector, and straightpor nected with the reflector, straight portions or,

at angles to each other, all arranged to throw a reflected light in wardand downward, a holder, secured to the back of said apron, and asupporting-rod adjustably connected with said holder, and said portionsa and 61. having raised parts a and a at their free ends to enable theoverlapping of any two adjacent reflector-sections, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

4. A reflector for art galleries, store-windows, &c.-, consisting of anapron, comprising an arc-shaped portion a, arranged concentric with thecenter of the light connected with the reflector, straight portions a,at angles to each other, all arranged to throw a reflected light inwardand downward, a holder, secured to the back of said apron, having achambered portion, and a pair of guide-pieces provided with flanges 01 asocket It provided with flanges embracing said flanges d setscrews foradjustably securing said socket in position,and a supporting-rodconnected with said socket, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

5. A reflector-section for art galleries,storewindows, &c., consistingof an apron, comprising an are -shaped portion a, arranged concentricwith the center of the light connected with the reflector, straightportions a, at angles to each other, holding-clamps on said portions 0,,glass reflector-plates, held by said clamps, said glass plates beingarranged to throw a reflected light inward and downward, a holdersecured to the back of said apron, and a supporting-rod adjustablyconnected with said holder, and said portions a and a having raisedparts (0 and a at their free ends to enable the overlapping of any twoadjacent reflector-sections, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

6. -A reflector for art galleries, store-windows, &c., consisting of anapron, comprising an arc-shaped portion or, arranged concentric with thecenter of the light connected with the reflector, straight portions a,at angles to each other, holding-clamps on said portions a, glassreflector-plates, held by said clamps, said glass plates being arrangedto throw a reflected light inward and downward,

a holder secured to the back of said apron, having a chambered portion,and a pair of guide-pieces provided with flanges d ,a socket 77,provided with flanges embracing said flanges d set-screws for adjustablysecuring said socket in position, and a supporting-rod connected withsaid socket, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a reflector for art galleries, store-windows, &c., thecombination, with an apron, as A, having an arc-shaped portion or,provided with a longitudinal recessed portion a", of a lamp-bracket 9,having a foot g, adapted to be fitted in said recessed portion, andmeans for securing it therein, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

8. In a reflector for art galleries, store-windows, &c., thecombination, with an apron, as A, of a holder d, consisting,essentially, of a chambered portion, and a pair of guide-pieces 61provided with flanges 01 a socket on said guide-pieces, set-screws foradjustably securing said socket in position, and a supportingrodconnected with said socket, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

9. In a reflector for art galleries, store-windows, &c., thecombination, with an apron, as A, of a holder cl, consisting,essentially, of a chambered portion, a cylindrical supporting portion(:1 having a cross-bar 61 an electric switch secured thereon,guide-pieces 61 connected with said holder (1, a socket and supportingbar adj ustably arranged on said guide-pieces 61 a lamp-bracket and lampsecured to said bracket, and electrical connections, all arranged,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In a reflector for art galleries, storewindows, (to. thecombination,with an apron, as A, of a holder (Z, consisting,essentially, of a chambered portion, a cylindrical supporting portion dhaving a cross-bar 01 an electric switch secured thereon, guide-pieces dconnected with said holder 01, and having flanges d a socket h havingflanges embracing said flanges d set-screws for adjustably securing saidsocket in position, and a supporting-rod connected with said socket, alamp-bracket and lamp secured to said apron, and electrical connections,all arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. The herein-described reflector for art galleries, show-windows, &c.consisting of an apron A, comprising an arc-shaped portion at having anopening, and a gasket 7c therein, said portion a being arrangedconcentric with the center of the light connected with the reflector,straight portions a, at angles to each other, all arranged to throw areflected light inward and downward, a holder d secured on the back ofsaid apron, comprising, a chambered portion, a cylindrical supportingportion dflhaving a cross-bar 01 an electric switch secured thereon,guide-pieces d connected with said holder d, having flanges 01 a socketh having flanges embracing said flanges d set-screws for ad 3' ustablysecurin g said socket IIO in position, and a tubular supportingrod Intestimony that I claim the invention set connected with said socket, alamp-bracket forth abovelhave hereunto set myhand this and lamp securedto said apron, and electric 15th day of December, 18%.

connections in said holder, passing through NELSON \VEEKS. said gasketand connected with said lamp, *itncsscs: substantially as and for thepurposes set GEORGE FRINK SPENCER,

forth. FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL.

